Roller-skate



V (NOModelQ) I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. K. ROSS.

ROLLER SKATE.

Patented Mar. 28,1882

E Lilh gnpbsn Washington, D. C.

(N0 Model.) 2 Shets-Sheet 2.

I J. K. ROSS.

. ROLLER SKATE. No. 255,460. Patented Mar. 2811882.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES K. ROSS, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

ROLLER-SKATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 255,460, dated March28, 1882.

Application filed November 10, 1881.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES K. Ross, of the town ofSpringfield, in Clarkecounty and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Roller-Skates, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention in general consists of several features: first, in novelmeans connecting the roller-gear and foot-plate and supporting thelatter, rendering the foot-plate resilient under the pressure of thewearer of the skate, enabling the foot-plate to be rocked upon theroller and the roller-gear to be turned at will to a small extent to theright or left-that is to say, so turned that the vertical longitudinalplane of the roller, instead of being paralfor one roller.

lel to the vertical longitudinal plane of the foot-plate, shall crosssaid latter plane at an acute angle, and when the ska'ter lifts saidskate the roller or rollers shall resume their usual position-viz.,wherein the vertical plane of the rollers is parallel to thelongitudinal vertical plane of the foot-plate; secondly, in meanswhereby the skate may be made reversible-that is, may be quickly changedfrom a four-roller skate into one having three or two rollers; thirdly,in a novel formation of the foot-plate of a skate having a metallicfootplateyfourthly, in a novel construction of a roller for rollerskatesand trucks and small vehicles and casters; fifthly, in subordinatefeatures of invention which will become apparent from the subjoineddescription.

The advantages resulting from the respective employment of the variousfeatures of my invention will be fully set forth as those features areseverally described.

In the accompanying drawings, making part of this description, and towhich reference is hereby made, Figure 1 represents a side view of aroller-skate embodying my invention.

Fig.2 is a transverse section of the same,taken at the lineX X of Fig. 1and looking rearward. Fig. 3 is a'transversc section of a part of same,taken at the line Y Y of Fig. 1, the two rollers shown in Fig. 2 beingexchanged Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of the lower plate upon whichthe cushion rests. Fig.5 is a perspective view of the said cushion. Fig.6 is a perspective view of a spider'which rests upon the cushion and inturn (No model.)

supports the foot-plate. Fig. 7 is a view of one mode of strengtheningawooden foot-plate for the connection between the same and the devicesholding the roller. Fig.8 is a view of the cushion modified in form.Figs. 9 and'lO illustrate the construction of my improved forms ofroller.

A indicates the foot-plate of the skate, made of any suitable form andmaterial,and in Fig. 7 shown as made of wood and in the remainingfigures as made of metal. When made ot'metal the side pieces, a, and endpieces, I), are preferably madewith and of the same piece of metal asthe foot-plate. The pieces a lie outside of the usual leather piece, d,and the pieces I) lie inside the said piece-d. The pieces a and b arefastened to the heel-piece d in any of the usual waysviz., by riveting,86C. The heel-piece d and theinetalliopiecee, being old and attached inthe usual manner, are here passed over without more particular mention.

B indicates aroller, madcin anydesired manher, and in the skate shown inFig. 1 there are four of said rollers. Where the skate is so constructedthat the number of rollers may be diminished from four to three or twothe roller is provided with a central perforation, through which the rodor axle O, on which the roller turns, passes. The rod is connected to asuitable device for supporting the upper parts of the skate, and whereopportunity in the construction is afforded for changing the number ofthe rollers the said device consists of a yoke, E. Through the lowerarms of this yoke the rod 0 passes, and thence through the two rollersB, placed outside of the yoke, and the latter being between the saidrollers. The rollers are kept upon the rod 0 by any suitable means-as,for example, a pin through each end of the rod, or by end washers, as f,suitably secured to the rod. In the present instance the washer shown atthe left-hand ers between the arms of the yoke E, and passes the shortrod 0 through the yoke-arms and roller, and adds the washers, if any,and secures the rod from slipping out ofthe rollers and washers, it any.

A yoke and two wheels may be used at one end of the skate, the other endbeing provided with one or two WhetlS, the one not being exchangeablefor two or the two for one roller; or each end of the skate maybeprovided with a yoke, in which event the skate may be made to run withone roller at front and one roller at rear, or with two rollers at frontand oneat rear, or vice versa, or with four rollers, two in front andtwo at rear. Whenever two rollers are exchanged for one a long axle-rod,C, is employed, and the rollers are preferably placed in the positionshown in Fig. 2. The advantages of thus changing the rollers areapparent to any one acquainted with the use and operation ofroller-skates. The movement and operation of the rolling portions of theskate are changed, the strain upon the muscles of the foot and ankle isaltered, and a rest is afiorded tothe same. Thereisa rest afforded bychange of the bearing of the skate upon the ground. Around curves thesingle rollers afi'ord most rest, and usually allow the most speed onsmooth spots, while on straight runs and courses the double rollerssecure most rest, and always best brace the foot. Changing the number ofrollers from day to day afl'ords better opportunity for the more perfectand thorough development of all parts of the foot and ankle.

So far as the aforesaid construction of the running-gear has to do withthe capacity for increasing and diminishingthe number of rollers, itisimmaterial how the yoke is connected to the upper portions of theskate.

In carrying out that feature of my invention heretofore referred tounder the head of first I provide the upper portion of the device whichis supported on the roller-axle with a plate, H, either made one withthe said supporting device or made separate therefrom. In the presentinstance, for the convenience of manufacture, the plate H is madeseparate.

' Any suitable mode of connecting the plate H to the said supportingdevice may be employed.

Where the yoke E is employed as the supporting device the preferablemode of connection is as follows: The plate H is provided with flangesS, between which the upper end of the yoke E clearly fits. The shape ofthe plate in plan view may he many-sided, or square, triangular, orcircular, as shown. The plate H supports a cushion, K, of rubber orother elastic resilient substance or material, of any suitable shape,but preferably in plan view of the same shape as the plate H is in planview. When desired the cushion may consist of a metallic spring.Theplate H, for

convenience of holding the cushionin position and preventing the latter,when compressed, from bulging out too much at its edge or periphery, isprovided with an outlying upright flange, m, which closely incloses thelower part of the edge orperipheryof the cushion K. The upper surface ofplate H, for preventing the rubber from slipping or turning aroundwithin the flange m, is further provided with one or more projections,(here shown as of the preferred form,) it, these projections enteringcorresponding recesses or grooves, o, in the bottom of the rubbercushion K. The cushion may come next to and immediately support thefoot-plate, and where the latter is of wood or of cast iron is a verydesirable plan. Where the foot-plate is of thin sheet metal a spider orplate, L,is preferably placed between the cushion K and the foot-plate.In order to prevent the spider L from turning upon the foot-plate, oneis provided with projections or bolts fitting into the other. In thepresent instance the projections consist of pins or lugs projecting fromspider L, passing through the foot-plate, and riveted to the latter. Inorder to prevent the cushion from turning upon the spider L, the latteris provided with projections, (in the present instance these projectionsbeing arms n, here shown of a preferred form,) which enter correspondingrecesses in the cushion. The upper face of the cushion between said armsrests against the foot-plate. The spiderL, for conveniently holding thecushion imposition and preventingthelatter, when compressed, frombulging out too much, is further provided with a flange, t, whichclosely embraces the upper portion of the edge or periphery of thecushion K.

Obviously either or all of the projections for preventing the cushionfrom turning may arise from or be formed upon the cushion, in whichevent corresponding recesses to receive said projections will be formedin the surface or surfaces opposing the side or sides of the cushion.

In Fig. 8 the upper surface of the cushion is shown furnished with suchprojections. These latter, where spiderL is present, would fit intorecesses in said plate; but as in this figure, S, the spider L isdispensed with, the projections fit into the foot-plate. Theprojections, where desired, could be formed upon the foot-plate and therecesses for their reception be present in the cushion. Also, the flanget, where spider L was dispensed with, would be preferably present at thefoot-plate.

The plate H and the cushion and foot-plate (and spider L also, wherepresent) are to be connected together in any suitable manner.

For the purposes ofmost successfully utilizing the resiliency andelasticity of the cushion K, as well as for cheapuess in cost andsimplicity and facility of manufacture, I prefer to connect the same bya connecting-rod, W, connected to the plate H or the roller-gear andfoot-plate through the center of said parts and suitably secured. Therod, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is a bolt having a head resting in acountersunk cavity in the foot-plate, and pro- IIO one end and ascrew-thread on its other end,

and be screwed directly into plate H or the roller-gear, as shown inFig, 3. Where a wooden foot-plate is used the flanged t-himble Z ispreferably employed, as shown in Fig. 7, and is preferably secured notonly by bolt W, but

by small screws Z, passing into the wood of the foot-plate. The holes inthe cushion K and spider L, and preferably also in plate H, are indiameter larger than the diameter of rod W, in order to allow the rodlateral play when 'thecushion is compressed more at one part of its edgethan at another. This feature of my invention, relating, as it does, totheem- 'ployment of the resilient cushion K, can be.

employed with various and different kinds of devices, connecting itssupport H to the roller axle, and with foot'plates provided with variousnumbers of rollers. Nevertheless it is preferahle to employ the samewith the yoke 1 as the latter affords a wide base not only for thesupport of the cushion K, but for acting as a lever to compress one partof the cushion K,

- and also to turn, or rather twist, the latter with plate H upon spiderL or the foot-plate.

The essential matter ofthe feature of my inven tion referred to underfirst consists in the employment of a resilient elastic cushioninterposed between the roller-gear and the spider L, or the foot-plate,or their equivalent, and constituting the support of the foot-plate overwhatever roller or rollers and at that end or v ends of the foot-platewhere it may be used.

The cushion K imparts a yielding, rocking,

elastic, and pleasant motion to the skate, softens the shock of theimpingement of the rollers upon obstacles over which they roll, andmaterially contributes to deaden the sound. This latter advantage is avery important one. Again, the elastic resilient block or cushion Kpermits the roller or rollers to be turned so that it or their verticalplane shall be at an an gle to the vertical longitudinal plane of thefoot-plate. In other words, it permits the roller orrollers to be turnedtoa limited degree about the vertical rod W as an axis. In turningcurves the rollers are thus allowed to follow their natural tendency,and the skate being inclii'ied toward the center of the curve which theskater is following, and where the rollers are single, their inner edgesbeing above its frictional contact with the floor, the roller or rollerswill turn toward the inside of the curve, and thus facilitate the skaterin his effort to follow the curve. As soon as the skater lifts his footthe resilient nature of the cushion K causes the roller to resume itsusual position, wherein its vertical plane is parallel to the verticallongitudinal plane of the foot-plate.

In order to carry out those purposes of my invention which relate tomaking a roller-skate resilient and easy under the pressure of theskater, I prefer to employ a roller whose pesubstance. A preferred modeof construction of said roller is as follows:

2 is a disk provided with a rod or shank, 3, shouldered down at 4, andthe extension5 of the rod being of a smaller diameter than that of thefirst part, 3. A disk, 6, of rubber or other elastic resilientsubstance, is then placed on the shank 3, as shown in Fig. 9. An annularplate, 7, of the same diameter as disk 2, is then placed against therubber, and the disk 6 being compressed between the plate 7 and disk 2,the extension enters the hole in said plate 7, and is then riveted inplace. pose of more readily and effectively riveting on the plate 7, theorifice of the latteris enlarged outwardly, as shown, and the tongue orextension 5 is caused to spread into said enlargement, thus forming afirm and cheap connection. The disk 6 before compression is wider thanthe space it is to occupy between disk 2 and plate 7, and it is also ofgreater diameter than the disk 2. In rollers of the size shown in Fig. 9the rubber before compression ex- -tends beyond the edge of the disk,preferably about three-sixteenths of an inch. The inner surfaces of thedisk and plate below the peripheral edge may be curved, but arepreferably straight. The edges of the' disk and plate are preferablyrounded, as shown in Fig. 9, so as not to cut the rubber, and so as toassist in throwing the edge 8 of the rubber out in the proper shape.When the rubber is compressed it follows over the'lineof the diskin anarched, curved, and beautiful form, and assumes the shape shown in Fig.9.

Another method of connecting the plate 7 to the shank 3 is where theshank is provided For the pur- L with a screw thread and the orifice ofplate 7 is provided with a female screw, the plate 7 being screwed uponthe said shank, compressing the disk 6. A convenient mode of making thelast-named device is shown in Fig. 10,

washer, 9, fitted against said head, and having its edge shaped as istheedge of disk 2 in t Fig. 9. The elastic disk 6 being placed on the shankand against the washer, a second washplaced on the shank, and then a nutor plate, 7, is screwed onto the shank, and the disk 6 is compressed toplace. It will be apparent that the disk 6 and washer 9 of Fig. 10perform the function of disk 2 of Fig. 9, and plate 7 and washer 9 ofFig. 10 perform the function of plate 7 of Fig. 9. The disk and shankmaybe respectively provided-with journals 13, or be bored so that theroller may revolve upon an axle.

The advantages ofthis device (shown in Fig. 10) are, first, it admits ofthe plate 7 being no where the disk or head 2 is provided with-a1 .er,9, of the same size and shape as the first, is

easily and sufficiently screwed up without imwhen resting directlyagainst the rubber, from being sufiiciently screwed up to properlycompress the disk 6; second, it allows the same head or disk 2 andshank-plate 7 to be employed in making rollers of ditferent sizes bysubstituting washers of other sizes for those herein shown, the disk 6being always of the proper comparative proportion, especially as todiameter.

In this manner with the same-sized bolt may be cheaply and quickly madesmall wheels .or rollers for childrens skates, and for casters,

&c., and larger wheels for trucks and other vehicles.

The systematic, symmetrical, exact, and pa culiar shape of the elasticdisk when compressed is produced by reason of the com pressing plate anddisks of the shape substantially as shown. The inward flat facescontribute to force the rubber or disk 6 upward. The concaveembracing-plates of the Turner(English) roller operate as pinchers, andare not able to produce the same form of rubber wheel as my device does.

Experience has demonstrated that where the disks or embracing-plates areconcave the rubher will flow inward and the peripheral edges of theconcave jaws form a harshbed or support for the rubber, causing the sameto be out projections S,and spider L, provided with projections n, andthe foot-plate, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. The cushion K, provided with recesses, in combination with plate H,provided with projections S and flange m, and spider L, provided withprojections 01, and the foot-plate, substantially as and for thepurposes specified.

.4. The cushion K, provided with recesses, in combination with plate H,provided with projections S, and spider L, provided with projections nand flange t, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

5. The cushion K, provided with recesses, in combination with plate H,project-ions S, and flange m,and spider L,provided with projections nand flange t,substantially as and for the purposes specified.

6. The combination of the cushion K and roller-gear, plate H, cushion K,and foot-plate, and central connecting-rod W, the orifices in thecushion and plateHbeing made ofgreater diameter than that of the rod,substantially as and for the purposes specified.

'7. The combination of thecushion Kan'd rollengear, plate H, cushion K,and spider Land foot-plate, and central connecting-rod W, the orificesin plates L and H and in cushion K being of greater diameterthan that ofthe central connecting-rod, substantially as and for .the purposesspecified.

S. In combination with the rollers B, axle O, yoke E,adapted to receivea roller, and pro vided with a supporting-plate, the cushion K, andfoot-plate,and connecting devices, and devices for preventing unduerotation of the roller-gear, substantially as and for the purposesspecified.

9. In combination, with the rollers B, axle (J, yoke E,adapted toreceive a roller, and provided with a supporting-plate, H, the cushionK, provided with recesses, and the foot-plate, and projections enteringsaid recesses, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

10. In combination, roller or rollers B, axle .G, yoke E, plate H,having projections S and .fiange m, cushion K, formed with recesses 0,

foot-plate A, and central connectingmod W, the orifices of plate H andcushion K being of greater diameter than that of rodW, substantially asand for the purposes specified.

11. In combination, the roller or rollers B, axle O, yoke E, plate H,havingprojections S and flange m, cushion K, formed with recesses 0,plate H,provided with recesses 0, foot-plate .A, and centralconnecting-rod W, the orifices of plate H and cushion K being of greaterdiameter than that of rod W, substantially as and for the purposesspecified.

12. The combination of the disk 2, rod 3, shouldered at 4:, and annularplate 7, and the elastic resilient disk 6, substantially as and for thepurposes specified.

13. The combination of the disk 2, rod 3, shouldered at 4, extension 5,and annular plate 7, having its orifice enlarged outwardly, and theelastic resilient disk 6, substantially as and for the purposesspecified.

14. The combination of disk 2, washer 9, shank 3, and disk 6, and washer9 and plate 7, secured together, substantially as and for the purposesspecified.

15. The combination of the disk 2, washer 9, shank 3, and disk 6, andwasher 9 and plate 7, screwed onto shank 3, substantially as and for thepurposes specified.

16. The combination of the shank and disk 6, compressed betweencompressing plates or disks or washers, having peripheral rounded andcurved edges, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

JAMES K. ROSS.

Witnesses:

G. .(J. \VILSON, J. WM. Srunnut.

